Rockets players say White’s absence isn’t a distraction

Players say White not a distraction
While the rift between the Rockets and rookie forward Royce White grew, the Rockets facing the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday said the issue has not been a distraction. White has missed two games and two practices, citing in a statement that he considers the Rockets’ support of his management of his anxiety disorder to have been inconsistent.

“That’s between him and the organization,” Rockets forward Chandler Parsons said. “I’m here for him. If he needs anything, I’m a good teammate. At the same time, he’s not with us right now. All my concern is on the guys in this locker room right now and the guys that are going to help us win games, and that’s not him right now.

“I talked to him. I talk to him all the time. It’s tough to relate. I don’t know what he’s going through. I’m here for him. If he needs someone to talk to, if he needs someone to hang out with, anything like that, I’m here. But it can’t be a concern right now.”

Rockets acting coach Kelvin Sampson said he was “not at all” concerned that the situation could be a distraction.

“I can say this with 100-percent certainty, I have not read one tweet,” Sampson said.

Lin apologizes for missed shot
Sampson did not have to talk to Jeremy Lin after Lin missed a potential game-winning shot against the Heat. Lin came to him.

“I was sitting in my office after the game by myself and a knock came on my door,” Sampson said. “It was Jeremy. He walked into the office and said, ‘Coach, I just want to apologize for missing that shot. I’ll make the next one.’ I gave him a fist bump and he walked out.

“It didn’t surprise me. I know he’s a high-character kid and he cares.”